Device for catching rolling balls, to be used in the game of indoor golf-putting.



E. McL. LONG. DEVICE FOR CATCHING ROLLING BALLS, TO BE USED IN THE 6 APPLICATION FILED IAN.26. 1917.

AME 0F INDOOR GOLF PUTTING.

l ,229fi66, Patented J 11116 12, 1917.

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EUGENE MQLEAN LONG, OF NEW YORK, 15]. Y.

DEVICE FOR CATCI-IING ROLLING BALLS, TO BE USED IN THE GAME OF INDOOR GOLF- PUTTING.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented June 12, 1917.

Application filed January 26, 1917. Serial No. 144,660.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, EUGENE MCLEAN LONG, citizen of the United States of America, residing at 13 Park Row, city of New York, in the State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Devicesfor Catching Rolling-Balls, to be Used in the Game of Indoor Golf-Putting, of which the following is a specification.

The object of my invention is to provide a device for catching and holding a ball when rolled over the same, and preferably a golf ball, which may be rolled over a fioor and into the inclosure of the device so that the action of a ball on a putting green may be closely simulated. This and other objects are accomplished by my invention, some em bodiment of which are hereinafter more particularly set forth.

For a more particular description of my invention, reference is to be had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part hereof, in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of my device, the inclosure, the surrounding filaments and surrounding surface being shown.

Fig. 2 is a sectional view ofthe same.

Fig. 3 is a plan view of the filaments, their inclosure and the supporting means.

Throughout the various views of the drawings. similar reference characters designate similar parts.

The hole or inclosure A is surrounded by flexible filaments B, which are preferably made of bristles or card board and so arranged as to form the segment of a cone. At their lower ends these filaments are fixed to a base C by glue, or otherwise, and on these fixed ends is secured a ring E which supports the inner part of conical surface D which terminates at its inner edge at B on the filaments. and thereby reinforces them against end thrusts, and it is secured to the outer edge of the base C so as to make a neat and compact structure over which a ball F may be readily rolled to bend some of the filaments as indicated at B, and let the ball into the inclosure A where it is caught against the ends of the filament B and is confined in the inclosure A. Once the ball F is in this inclosure it rolls against free, reinforced ends of the filaments B and is thereby prevented from escaping and is forced to rest in the inclosure.

The slope of the surface D is made gradual and the filaments are made sufiiciently flexible to allow a ball to enter the inclosure much as it enters a hole in a putting green so that it is possible, with this device, to practise golf strokes in an ordinary room. Obviously, this device is not restricted to this use, but may be used in any of many other ways.

This invention is not restricted to the precise embodiment shown but may be modified in various ways.

lVhat I claim is:

1. In a device of the class ('l(3SCl'll')O(l, a set of filaments arranged to form an inclosure and means for supporting them so that a ball may roll over any of them and be brought to rest at a place within the inclosure.

2. In a device of the class described, an inclined set of filaments arranged to form an inclosure, and means for supporting them so that a ball may roll over any of them and be brought to rest at a place within the inclosure.

3. In a device of the class described, a set of filaments arranged to form an inclosure, and means for supporting the same so that their free ends bound the inclosure and limit the movement of a ball when placed therein.

4;. In a device of the class described, a set of filaments arranged to form an inclosure, means for supporting the same so that their free ends limit the movement of a ball when in this inclosure, and a. surface over which a ball may roll covering said supporting means, and not covering said inclosure.

5. In a device of the class described, a set of filaments arranged to form an inclosure, a base to which these filaments are attached and a ring on the fixed ends of these filaments.

6. In a device of the class described, a set of filaments arranged to form an inclosure, a base to which they are attached, a ring on their fixed ends, and an inclined surface with its inner edge resting against said filaments, and secured to said ring andbase.

7. In a device of the class described, a set of filaments, means for securing the same in an inclined position, and a surface covering said securing means and having one edge against said filaments where they are free to move.

8. In a device of the class described, a set of filaments, and means for holding the same In testimony whereof, I have signed my 10 so that a ball may roll over them in one diname to this specification, in the presence of rection and bend them downwardly and so two subscribing witnesses, this 15th day of pass to a loiver level h 1 d b d January, 1917.

9. n a. cevice o t e cass escri e a i T base, a series of flexible filaments having EUGENE MCLEAA LONG their lower ends fixed to the base and their Witnesses: upper ends free to be bent downwardly J. M. BAFFINGTON, when a. ball passes over them. W. D. Boees.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. G. 

